Peru Southern Copper workers say to talk wages for 15 more days

January 24, 2013|Reuters

LIMA, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Workers at the main units ofSouthern Copper Corp in Peru will try to negotiate anew wage plan with the miner for another 15 days and refrainfrom going on strike for now, union leader Ricardo Juarez saidon Thursday.

Workers, who held a two-day strike at the end of December,are asking for a 14 percent wage increase as well as bettersafety conditions and health benefits, Juarez said.

The company has offered a rise of 5.7 percent, he said.

A Southern Copper official declined immediate comment.

Some 2,500 people work at Southern Copper's units inCuajone, Toquepala and Ilo.

Southern Copper, an affiliate of Grupo Mexico,accounted for about 24 percent of Peru's copper production in2011.